Odisha Nabakalebara: Lakhs witness Bahuda Yatra in Puri

Lakhs of devotees witnessed the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) of the Lords on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Odisha’s holy town Puri which ended without any major hitches this evening barring the death of a devotee who died of suffocation.

The chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Suvadra reached in front of the Simhadwara of the Srimandir before sunset while the chariot of Lord Jagannath reached the Simhadwara at about 9 PM.

The pulling of the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra began at 4.05 PM while the pulling of Darpadalana chariot of Devi Suvadra and Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath began at 4.45 PM and 5.20 PM respectively after the servitors withdrew the charamala (ladder) from the chariots and attached wooden horses (Ghoda).

The Chhera Panhara of the chariots was conducted by the Gajapati King Divyasingh Dev at 3.30 PM after which the pulling of the chariots began.

The festivities began early in the morning with the Mangala Alati ritual of the Lords at 4 AM and Gopala Ballav and Sakala Dhupa at 6.30 AM.

After the Senapata Lagi of the Lords which was conducted at 11 AM, the Daitapati servitors performed the Mangalarpana rituals at 11.45 PM.

The pahandi of the Lord Sudarshan began at 10.57 AM, followed by Lord Balabhadra at 11.55 AM, Devi Suvadra at 12.28 PM, Lord Ramakrushna at 2 PM and Lord Jagannath at 2.15 PM.

The pahandi was concluded 15 minutes before the schedule.

After the Lords were placed on their respective chariots, the Daitapatis performed Vesha Lagi at 3 PM.

Elaborate security arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra. Out of a total of 164 platoons of forces, 80 platoons were deployed along the Bada Danda.

As per the schedule, the Suna Vesha (golden attire) of the Lords would be held on Monday while the Daitapatis would perform the Adhara Pana ritual on Tuesday.

The Lords will be taken inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on Thursday.